Plano Mother's medical history probed

[TexasStooge]

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

PLANO, Texas - The attorney of a Plano woman charged with killing her infant daughter plans to seek medical records to investigate whether his client underwent several childhood brain surgeries.

Defense attorney David Haynes was appointed to represent Dena Schlosser, who is charged with killing her 10-month-old daughter Margaret by cutting off the infant's arms. Schlosser was arrested last Monday after a 911 call to police.

Haynes said according to people who know Schlosser, she had surgeries between the ages of 8 and 13. He now wants more information from records and experts about his client's medical history.

"They were surgeries to install a stent, which is a device intended to drain fluid from inside the skull," Haynes said.

The attorney said those surgeries were intended to relieve pressure.

"Whether that can have an effect on a person's mental functioning, I don't know - I just suspect that it may," he said. "I think anyone who's had three invasive procedures into the skull may have some brain damage."

Said Plano police spokesman Carl Duke: "There were some statements made by the mother - I will not give you specifics at this time - that indicate she was responsible for the injuries to the child."

Schlosser's attorney wants a hearing to force the state to show what evidence it has linking her to the murder.

"She does not understand the legal situation that she is in now," Haynes said. "She is not able to assist me today with the defense of her case. I have questions about what her mental condition was at the time she was arrested."

Haynes said while his client understands her daughter is dead, he's not sure if she understands why she's being accused.

"I think she is mentally incompetent to stand trial at the present moment," he said.

According to Haynes, Plano police collected DNA evidence from his client over the weekend. News 8 was unable to contact police for comment.